The generation gap has been closed on the Maple Leafs — and all it took was a deck of cards.

While almost two decades separates elder statesmen Patrick Marleau and Ron Hainsey from young stars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, hockey’s revered tradition of road trip card games has created some new companions.

While some games are readily available on iPhones to play in solitude, Marleau got Matthews interested in the real thing, going to a gift shop on a recent swing through Raleigh, N.C., to buy a deck.

“We played a bit of euchre and then poker once,” Matthews said. “He took us for all our money. We played Old Maid (at first) because I only knew simple card games.”

Marleau, who grew up playing cards in Saskatchewan, especially on long junior bus rides, confirmed his profit at the expense of the table of rookies.

“I took them down,” he laughed. “But they were into it. They wanted to play on their phones, but we got away from it.”

Marleau recalled he was given similar quality bonding time in his early years with the San Jose Sharks, whose old guard included Owen Nolan, Tony Granato and Gary Suter. But Marleau never got to tease them for lack of chat speak skills, a 21st century challenge.

Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau earlier this season (ERNEST DOROSZUK/POSTMEDIA)

“After I texted him something and added ‘HBU’ — how about you? — and he asked Mitch what that meant,” Matthews said.

“I thought it was the funniest thing because we’re 20 years old, so familiar with those shortcuts and Patty was a little confused. We had a good laugh about that for a couple of weeks. He’s caught on to little catchphrases now.”

Marleau agrees he’s behind the tech times, but it’s a good lesson as his four sons get older.

“Maybe I’ll be the cool dad now,” he said.

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews, right, celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with centre Patrick Marleau during first period NHL hockey action, in Toronto on Thursday, October 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Marleau often watches movies with the younger Leafs, too, this being a busy time on the road schedule.

“He’s 38 going on 20,” Matthews said. “It’s fun hanging out with us. The first month you’re here, you’re pretty quiet, trying to get more comfortable. You get to know him more. We’ve got some stories from him. Most of the time we don’t worry talking hockey, but he’s an unbelievable guy and a player with the career he’s had. To be in this locker room and get to know him, it’s been awesome.

“Everybody says he’s got four kids at home and two on the road. He takes care of me and Mitchy. He brings his kids in every once in awhile. They’re closer in age with us than we are with Patty.”

Coach Mike Babcock said giving the Leafs more leaders by example led to Marleau and 37-year-old defenceman Hainsey being signed in the summer.

“It was a home run for us,” Babcock said. “I’ve had Nicklas Lidstrom (in Detroit), now I have Marleau.

“Those are fine, fine human beings to say the least. They never say anything; they do what they do every day and do it better than everyone else. You look at (Marleau), he’s got 103 game-winning goals and played 1,500 games. He’s doing what he loves to do. That’s not a bad concept and you hope it rubs off.”